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India itineraries
Our India itineraries are independent holidays offering unique and rewarding India experiences. Some itineraries concentrate purely on Northern India, while others combine both North and South India as well as Nepal. Equally, some are action-packed while others are more laid back, so we have something to suit every traveller. |
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India itinerary 1: A Taste of India - North India
Route: Delhi - Jaipur - Galta - Bharatpur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra - Varanasi - Delhi This India itinerary will help you get the very best out of a 12-day trip to India, making it perfect for anyone tied down to annual leave. It will whisk you around several of the highlights of North India. After one night in Delhi, you'll be transferred to beautiful Jaipur with its pink inner city and mighty forts perched on the surrounding hills. You'll then travel to the magical temples of Galta, the wetlands of Bharatpur, and the deserted ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri. And as if this isn't enough, the next stop will be the Taj Mahal, which is so much more impressive in reality than any postcard would have you believe. At the end of this India itinerary, you'll take the overnight train to Varanasi, situated on the banks of the Ganges, and one of the most sacred cities in India. |
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India itinerary 2: Backwaters and Bollywood - South India
Route: Bangalore - Mysore - Mudumalai - Wayanad - Cochin - Alleppey - Periyar - Kovalam - Trivandrum - Mumbai The lush green environment of South India is a large contrast with hectic and more arid North India. During this India itinerary, you'll travel via the colourful silk-city of Mysore on to the wild elephants in the national parks of Periyar and Mudumalai. The colonial city of Cochin is a welcome diversion with its tropical backwaters and canals between rice paddies and palm trees that you'll be sailing over in a traditional Keralan rice barge. On the southernmost point of the Indian subcontinent you'll be able to recoup from your journey on the beaches of Kovalam, a wonderful substitute for Goa and known for its Ayurvedic massages. At the end of this India itinerary you'll visit Mumbai, giving you a very compact and complete picture of exotic South India in two weeks. Click here for the daily details of our South India itinerary. |
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India itinerary 3: Classic Cities of Rajasthan - North India
Route: Delhi - Jaipur - Pushkar - Udaipur - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer - Agra - Orchha - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi There's so much to see in North India, a land of maharajan palaces and Rajput forts, that it's almost impossible to squeeze it all into one India itinerary. You could visit Rajasthan several times and yet still feel as if you have only scratched the surface. During this India itinerary, you'll see the classic highlights of North India in just under three weeks - and you'll see them in style, staying in forts, palaces, elaborate havelis and old colonial mansions. After travelling through remarkable Rajasthan, full of camels, saris, forts and temples, you'll arrive at the Taj Mahal. From here, you'll travel east towards Varanasi, the most sacred of all Indian cities, and you'll stay in a lovely hotel right on the banks of the Ganges. |
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India itinerary 4: Tigers and thalis - North India
Route: Delhi - Jaipur - Ranthambore National Park - Nawalgarh - Agra - Orchha - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi Rather than chasing all over the country, you might prefer to spend your time in India in a few really unusual places. Ranthambore National Park is one of these spots. The flora and fauna in the park are magnificent and it is one of the top destinations in the world for spotting wild tigers. After a trip to Ranthambore, this India itinerary will take you to the rarely visited Shekawati region, where you'll experience the remote countryside by camel cart, admire the intricate havelis, and get to know the friendly locals. After this, you'll drop in on the Taj Mahal and then make your way to wonderful Orchha and the temples of Khajuraho, packed with erotic sculptures. This India itinerary ends in holy Varanasi on the banks of the Ganges, where you can listen to pilgrims chanting on the ghats. Throughout this India itinerary you'll stay in unique accommodation with plenty of character, ranging from rustic clay huts to sparkling palaces. |
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India itinerary 5: The Taj Mahal to Little Tibet - North and North West India
Route: Delhi - Jaipur - Galta - Bharatpur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra - Delhi - Amritsar - Dharamsala - Manali - Jispa - Leh (Ladakh) - Delhi This India itinerary combines the highlights of North India with a journey through North West India, dominated by red-robed monks, Tibetan monasteries and the snow-capped peaks of the mighty Himalayas. It is an ideal India itinerary for curious travellers hoping to explore an unusual, remote region of India or perhaps those who have been to India before. The trip begins in the elegant Pink City of Jaipur. Then, you'll travel to the Taj Mahal and the deserted ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri. After a brief stop in Delhi, you'll take the train north to Amritsar, the centre of the impressive Sikh culture and home of the Golden Temple. After this, you'll make your way into Little Tibet, stopping in at Dharamsala, home of the exiled Dalai Lama. Finally, this India itinerary will take you into the remote Himalayas, far above the tree line, eventually arriving in Ladakh, a region scattered with Tibetan monasteries and stupas. Click here for the daily details of our North West India itinerary. |
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Indian itinerary 6: Highlights and mountain monasteries - North East India
Route: Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Orchha - Khajuraho - Varanasi - New Jaipalguri - Darjeeling - Gangtok - Kalimpong (Sikkim) - Kolkata This is one of our most unusual India itineraries, and takes in two totally different cultures in the north of India. You'll begin your journey in Jaipur, The Pink City, before visiting the Taj Mahal and the River Ganges in sacred Varanasi. Everywhere, you'll be surrounded by holy cows on the streets, meditation and cremation ceremonies in the Ganges, and praying Indians in the temples. After this, you'll head into the Buddhist state of Sikkim, getting a glimpse of a totally different culture. You’ll find Tibetan and Bhutanese monasteries perched on the tops of lush green hills where monks kneel to chant their mantras in low voices. Sikkim lies at a slightly lower alitude than Ladakh, which means that it is far greener. It is a paradise for orchid lovers and the point where the countries of Tibet and Bhutan merge. Click here for the daily details of our North East India itinerary. |
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India itinerary 7: Go India and Goa - North India and Goa
Route: Delhi - Jaipur - Pushkar - Udaipur - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer - Agra - Orchha - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi - Goa This India itinerary will take you deep into Rajasthan, full of camels, saris, forts and, of course, cows. You'll stay in a quirky mix of accommodation ranging from havelis, family-run guesthouses, colonial mansions to basic beach huts. You'll visit the astonishing Taj Mahal and follow the route east to Varanasi, where you'll stay in a comfortable hotel on the banks of the Ganges. Finally, after this whirlwind India itinerary through North India, you'll fly south to relax under whispering palm trees in Goa and let all of your experiences sink in. |
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India itinerary 8: Curries, camels and coconuts - North India and the Maldives
Route: Delhi - Jaipur - Galta - Bharatpur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra - Orchha - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi - Trivandrum - Maldives This is one of our most varied India itineraries. It will take you to The Pink City of Jaipur on the camel route crossroads, the splendid picturesque temple town of Orchha, the mysterious Galta, and the ancient ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri. After this, you'll drop in on the amazing Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. The route will then take you east towards the holy city of Varanasi, and you’ll stay in a palace on the banks of the Ganges, where you'll hear pilgrims chanting outside your windows. At the end of your India itinerary, you’ll be ready for relaxation, and where better to unwind than the picture-postcard beaches of the exotic Maldives. You'll stay on a tiny island paradise surrounded by warm, azure blue seas, and shimmering golden beaches. Bliss. |
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India itinerary 9: Colours of Rajasthan, Varanasi, Kerala - North & South India
Route: Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Orchha - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi - Bangalore - Mysore - Mudumalai NP - Calicut - Cochin - Kerala Backwaters - Periyar NP - Kovalam Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is packed with colours, smells, and sounds. The air is thick with spices, and camel carts rumble through the streets past grand palaces and holy cows. You'll start in Jaipur, and from there you'll head for the Taj Mahal, one of the most spectacular wonders of the world. Then, you'll make your way east to the mystical cities of Orchha and Galta, and sacred Varanasi where devout pilgrims bathe in the Ganges. Next, you'll fly south to Bangalore before setting off to explore the tropical state of Kerala. Here you’ll stay in a Portuguese fort, marvel at the palaces of Mysore, take a trip through the tropical backwaters on a houseboat, watch the Chinese fishing nets in action in Cochin and spot elephants in Periyar National Park. To top it all off, you'll end this India itinerary with a relaxing stay on a palm-fringed beach on the Keralan coast. |
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India itinerary 10: Maharajas and mountain kingdoms - North India and Nepal
Route: Delhi - Jaipur - Pushkar - Udaipur - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer - Jaipur - Galta - Bharatpur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra - Varanasi - Delhi - Kathmandu - Chitwan NP - Kathmandu This great India itinerary combines North India with Nepal. First, you'll visit the camels, desert forts and maharajan palaces of Rajasthan and then you'll head for the eerie ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri and the astounding Taj Mahal. Next, you'll travel by train to the River Ganges in sacred Varanasi to soak up the atmosphere of India's most spiritual city. Then, you'll fly from Delhi to Kathmandu to explore this brilliant city perched high in the Himalayas. Finally, you'll spend some in Chitwan National Park, trekking through the jungle on an elephant and keeping your eyes peeled for a wild rhinoceros. At the end of this India itinerary, you'll fly back to Delhi for your flight home. |
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General information about our India itineraries
What is included in our India itineraries ? - All accommodation with breakfast. Sometimes other meals are included, for example:
when you're staying on a houseboat or during Pushkar Camel Fair. Check the daily programme.
- All transport including domestic flights as described in the itineraries.
- Excursions and organised visits with an English-speaking guide as indicated (see the descriptions).
- When necessary, assistance from our local agent, available 24 hours a day.
What is not included in our India itineraries?
- The international flights to India are excluded. Flights will be quoted for separately from your land arrangements.
- Travel insurance. See travel insurance for more information.
- A few of the smaller transfers are excluded, simply because some short journeys are quicker, easier and cheaper to organise on the spot.
- Visa or Passport costs.
- Optional extras such as drinks, laundry, departure taxes, tipping or expenses of a personal nature.
A tailor-made India itinerary ?
It is possible to customize your India itinerary. Perhaps you'd like to treat yourself to an ugraded hotel, or add a few extra days on the beach or slow the pace by adding extra nights here and there?
It’s very easy to change our India itineraries to suit your personal requirements, just let us know what you want when you complete the quote request form.
If you'd like to create your own India itinerary by using our bite-sized independent India tours, then feel free to request your own Travel Plan.
You can always call us on 01273 322 044 for more help.